A/N: Thanks as always for reading, reviewing and following! I appreciate it. Sorry for posting late. I was having problems uploading to the site. This chapter picks up where the last one left off and then jumps a few days. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

It was late by the time Bianca got home. Between everything that had happened at the Miranda Center earlier that day with Kirsten as well as the day to day activities of the Center itself and then class, it had been a very long day. The brunette sighed. While Bianca enjoyed her class, she didn't like the fact that it took time away from her family, especially with Marissa being pregnant. I only have four more classes this semester and then I'm done and am taking a break. I really want to focus on Rissa and kids and enjoy this time. I don't want to miss any of it. I know she wants me to finish my degree, and I want that too. It's just that this is such a special time. School will be there later. What's going on with my family now is what matters the most to me. With that, Bianca got out of her car and headed inside knowing that her family was asleep, well at least the kids were. Her wife was probably doing her best to wait up for her. Bianca was immediately met at the door leading from the garage to the kitchen by Max. As soon as the golden retriever saw who was coming inside, his tail started wagging happily. The brunette placed her purse and bag on the counter and bent down to pet him.

"Hey, boy. How ya doin'? Good boy for keeping an eye on everybody for me."

Max responded with a soft bark before leaving the kitchen. His job of making sure there wasn't an intruder was done.

Bianca's stomach growled reminding her that she had been so busy during the day that she had skipped dinner. The brunette opened the refrigerator to see what she could quickly scrounge up. The results of her search caused her to smile and shake her head, not surprised at all by what she found. Inside she found a microwaveable container with a post-it note attached reading, 'B, In case you didn't a chance to have dinner. Love, M'. Bianca opened the container and found her wife's specialty, Pasta a 'la Tasker, which also happened to be a family favorite. The brunette popped the dish in the microwave and headed upstairs to check on the kids. After giving each of them a kiss covering them back up with the blankets that had been tossed aside, Bianca headed back downstairs to the kitchen. It was then that she noticed something on one of the counter's in the room, a wine glass, bottle of wine and corkscrew along with another post-it note that read, 'B, I thought you might enjoy this. I talked with Jan earlier, and she told me a little about what happened at the Center. I'm pretty sure you earned it. If I'm asleep when you get home, wake me up. Love, M'. Bianca grinned as she opened the wine and poured herself a glass. She replaced the cork and took a gratifying sip. Next, Bianca grabbed a tray and placed a couple of forks, some napkins, a glass of water and her wine glass on it before adding the dish containing her dinner to it. The brunette then padded down the hallway to the master bedroom.

/

"Hey. It took you long enough to get back here." Marissa teased in greeting to her wife as she removed her glasses and placed them along with the book she had been reading on her nightstand.

"Hey yourself. I thought you'd be asleep. That's why it took me so long. If I knew you were still awake, I definitely would've come back here first." Bianca leaned in for a quick kiss before handing her wife the tray. The brunette quickly removed her shoes, got settled onto their bed and took the tray back.

"I see you found my notes."

"I did. Thank you. You know me too well. I didn't get a chance to eat anything. When I saw you wanted me to wake you up if you were asleep, I thought you might want to join me in a late snack."

Marissa chuckled and took the fork Bianca offered her. "You know me too well. I'll just have a couple of bites."

"So, you talked to Jan, huh?"

"Yep. I had a question for her on a previous case, and she told me a little bit about what happened. How'd it go?"

"Diana was slightly injured when she went to pick up Kirsten and Amelia got home earlier."

"Is she okay?"

"Yes, Angie was there today and checked her out. Thankfully, it's just bruised ribs and nothing more serious. While Angie was taking care of her, I talked with Kirsten."

"Tell me everything."

And that's exactly what Bianca did. Talking with Marissa always helped her decompress and feel better after a long, hard day. It was the same for Marissa. The support and understanding they received from each other was something they had never received from another partner before, and it was just one of the many things that made their relationship so special and strong.

/

Saturday – Dinner at Minx Manor with Marissa's team

Marissa was on her way back outside to take Bianca some tongs for the grill when she heard someone at the front door. She turned to Miranda who was helping them prepare for their guests by making some lemonade. "Mimo, could you take these out to your Mom for me please? I need to see who's at the door."

"Sure, Ma."

"Thank you."

/

The redhead smiled as she opened the door to their first guests, the Douglas family.

"Issa!" Jamie lunged forward from his mother's arms towards Marissa.

"Hi, Jamie! How's my godson?" Marissa laughed as she happily took the struggling, curly-haired toddler from his mother.

"Sorry, Marissa. He just gets so excited to see you." Stef chuckled.

"It's no problem. I'm excited to see him too. Come on in."

"Is anyone else here yet? I didn't see any other cars." Brian asked.

"No, you guys are the first ones here."

"How are you feeling?" Stef asked as she smiled watching her son lay his head on Marissa's shoulder. Jamie absolutely adored the redhead, and she could tell the feeling was definitely mutual.

"Pretty good. The morning sickness has let up a lot, and I really like the bursts of energy I get. They come in pretty handy."

"Brian told me you got to hear the baby's heartbeat."

Marissa smiled brightly and nodded. "We did. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever heard."

"Yeah, it really is. When's the ultrasound?"

"Our next appointment. I can't wait and neither can Bianca." Marissa led them into the kitchen.

"What can't I wait for? Hi, Jamie." Bianca, having just come in from outside, smiled as she tickled the toddler in her wife's arms.

"Banca!" Jamie giggled and reached for Bianca.

The brunette bounced the toddler happily. "Hi, Stef, Brian. How are you guys doing?"

"We're good, Bianca."

"Marissa was just telling Brian and me that you both can't wait for the ultrasound."

"She's right. We can't."

"Where's the rest of your brood?"

"Our minions are outside with Max." Marissa answered as she scooped Jamie, who was already reaching for her again, back up from her wife.

Jamie's eyes lit up at the mention of the dog's name. "Max?!"

Marissa chuckled and quickly glanced at his parents who nodded. "Do you want to see Max, Jamie?"

The toddler grinned and bobbed his head up and down excitedly. "Uh huh!"

"Let's go. We'll be right outside."

Bianca smiled as she watched her wife with the kids and their dog. "I'm surprised he let me hold him as long as I did with Rissa around."

Brian laughed along with the brunette. "Yeah, Marissa is definitely one of his favorite people, but he likes an awful lot too. He gets so excited when he hears we're coming to visit."

Stef nodded. "She's a natural. I know I don't have to worry about him when he's with either of you. I can't even begin to tell you how happy we are for both of you."

"Thank you."

A squeal from Jamie had the three adults glancing outside. The toddler was throwing a ball for Max to chase.

"Look at that arm! That's my boy!" Brian puffed out his chest in pride.

Stef shot her husband an amused look. "Excuse me, but I think I had a little something to do with that, thank you very much."

Brian smiled sheepishly at his wife. "All the best qualities come from you, darlin'."

"Nice save. Let's go see our boy."

Bianca laughed at the couple and led them outside.

/

"This looks like the right place. Hey, boss."

Marissa glanced up and smiled at the trio joining them in the backyard led by her former paralegal. "Hey, Lisa, Ellie, Brandon. You all decided to come together, huh?"

"Yeah, it was easier since we're all without partners at the moment. Brandon even let me drive."

"Hey, I have no problem with a woman driving. I grew up in a house full of you so I'm good with it. It helps that you knew how to get here too."

Marissa waved Bianca over. "Brandon, I don't know think you've met my wife yet. Bianca, this is Brandon Casanas. Brandon, this is Bianca."

The lawyer extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Bianca smiled and the offered hand. "It's nice to meet you too, Brandon. I've heard a lot about you."

"All good I hope."

Marissa laughed. "Well …"

"She's kidding. Of course it was all good. I have to say I'm curious about all of the contacts you have and how plugged in you are to the rumor mill."

"I know. Explain that to me. I work at the front desk, and he hears more than I do." Ellie joked.

Lisa chimed in. "Yeah, they talk about women being gossips. They've got nothing on him."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "You're just jealous."

"Keep telling yourself that, law boy, and maybe you'll believe it." Lisa patted him on the shoulder while Ellie snorted.

Lisa saw another group of three make their way to the backyard and waved them over. "Over here, guys."

Marissa greeted the latest arrivals. "I'm glad you all could make it. Bianca, this is Mark, Robin and Riley. Mark is Claudia's paralegal, Robin is with Sofia, and Riley is with Brandon."

"Yeah, Riley drew the short straw." Lisa chuckled.

Brandon threw a playful glare her way. "I'm a great boss, aren't I, Riley?"

The young man paused before finally cracking up. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. You're good, not as good as Marissa though."

"Well, that goes without saying." Brandon grinned.

"It's nice to meet all of you and to see that you're sucking up to my wife properly."

Marissa laughed at the shocked expressions on the others' faces at Bianca's deadpan delivery.

"Wow, we all just got burned." Brandon shook his head.

"Yes, you did, but don't feel bad. You got burned by Erica Kane's daughter. Consider it a badge of honor." Marissa smirked before welcoming their latest guests who were making their way around the side of the house. "Sofia, come on over."

"Hi, everybody. This is my partner, Rebecca Dermott. Rebecca, this is everybody. You know Robin already."

"Hi, Rebecca. Good to see you again."

"Hi, Robin. It's good to see you too. Hi, everybody else."

"Don't pay attention to the rest of them. They don't matter." Sofia teased. "These are the two that matter. This is Marissa and Bianca."

"Hey, wait a minute." Brandon protested.

Marissa laughed. "This is why I picked her to be on the team. She's a very smart woman. It's nice to meet you, Rebecca."

"You're going to be impossible to live with for a while, aren't you?" Bianca sighed dramatically looking at her wife.

"Yep, I guess I am. Just remember, she said you mattered too."

"Oh, that's right she did. She is very smart." Bianca grinned. "It's nice to meet you, Rebecca."

The other woman laughed at the playfulness of the couple. "It's nice to meet both of you. It's nice to meet all of you despite what Sofia says."

"Is Sofia causing problems again?" Claudia joked as she joined the others with her husband and daughter.

"Ah, you know me too well, Claudia."

"Everyone, this is my husband Rob and our daughter Andrea, Andi for short."

Brian and Stef joined the others bringing all of the kids with them and introductions were completed.

"Who would like a tour of the house?" Bianca offered.

"I'd love to see the place."

"So would I."

"Count me in."

Marissa smiled. "Do you want to lead the tour while I get drinks and check on dinner?"

"I'll help Marissa." Stef offered.

Brian chimed in. "I'll keep an eye on the kids while you guys are doing that."

"I'll help Brian. He won't be outnumbered as badly." Lisa added with a grin.

Bianca nodded. "Thanks. That sounds good to me. Everyone who wants a tour follow me."

/

After the tour, the group reassembled for dinner. The food was setup buffet-style, and since the weather was still mild, it was decided they would dine outside on the patio. Once everyone was settled and enjoying dinner, conversation began in earnest.

"Okay, I have to ask. Why is this place called Minx Manor?" Brandon inquired.

Those who knew the story laughed. Bianca was the exception, and she rolled her eyes. The brunette was getting better at accepting the name in large part because she realized a while ago that she was fighting a losing battle.

"Minx is our Moms' ship name!" Miranda happily proclaimed.

"Their ship name?" Rob asked confused.

"Oh, you mean like Calzona for Callie and Arizona on 'Grey's Anatomy'." Sofia offered.

"Or Rizzles for Jane and Maura on 'Rizzoli and Isles'." Claudia added.

Rebecca supplied another name. "Or Caskett for Castle and Beckett on 'Castle'."

"Exactly." Marissa nodded.

"It's a name given to a pairing or couple." Lisa explained.

"No offense, but how did you get a ship name and why?" Brandon was curious.

"Greenlee." Bianca smirked.

"Greenlee? As in Jack's daughter?" Sofia asked.

Marissa laughed at her wife's reaction. "One in the same. She gave it to us a while ago kind of as somewhat of a joke, and it stuck."

"It's the name of my monkey too! Greenlee helped me name him." Gabby added proudly.

"Yep, it sure is, Monkey. When we moved in here, Greenlee couldn't help herself and got us the plaque. Since it was a gift, I felt we had to display it. Thus, Minx Manor was born."

"We didn't have to display it." Bianca muttered to her wife's amusement.

"I told Ma they should brand the name and apply for a trademark."

The eyes of all of the adults focused on Miranda, shocked that a young girl would know about branding and trademarks. The only ones not surprised were her mothers who were smiling proudly.

"Tr … trademark? How are old are you, Miranda?"

"I'm 9 ½." Miranda shrugged.

Marissa winked at her oldest daughter. "I'm looking into it."

Bianca chuckled at the scene in front of her. "Miranda wants to be a lawyer someday and likes to read Rissa's law books from time to time."

Miranda nodded happily. "I wanna work with Ma when I'm older."

"I'll have a place for you whenever you're ready, Mimo."

"Wow. I think I better keep my eye out on you, Miranda."

Brandon's remark made the young brunette giggle and tease back. "Yeah, you probably should."

Marissa laughed. "Ah, the Kane woman is strong in that one."

"It most definitely is." Bianca grinned.

"So, do you want to be a lawyer when you're older, AJ?" Sofia asked.

"Nah, I wanna be an architect."

"AJ's likes designing and building things. He's got a really good eye." Bianca stated proudly causing the boy to grin in reply.

Claudia looked at the current youngest member of the Tasker-Montgomery family. "What about you, Gabby?"

"I don't know. My Mommies say I've got lots of time so I don't have to pick something yet if I don't want to."

"Well, your Mommies are very smart."

All three of the couple's children nodded in agreement.

"Did you decorate this place yourselves?" Rebecca asked.

Bianca shook her head. "No, we hired a decorator. Her name's Trish Moore."

"Oh, she's very good. I love her use of color and light."

"Rebecca is an artist." Sofia stated with a bit of pride.

"Rebecca Dermott! I knew that name sounded familiar. Bianca, we saw her work at that gallery in New York last year."

"That's right! We did! We love your work."

"Thank you. It's always nice to hear."

"She's brilliant, and it's not bragging if it's true. I would brag about her more if she'd let me. So, I'm going to take the chance while I've got it. She's going to have a show here in December at the Churchill Gallery." Sofia smiled.

Rebecca simply shook her head mildly embarrassed by her partner's boasts but also loving it at the same time.

Marissa eyed the artist. "Well now, you have to keep us in the loop because Bianca and I will definitely want to see it."

Rebecca nodded in acknowledgement and then shifted the attention onto someone else. She didn't want anyone she knew to feel obligated to compliment or buy any of her work. "What do you do, Rob?"

"I teach."

Stef perked up. "So do I. I teach high school math."

Rob shivered. "You brave soul, teaching math to hormonal teenagers. You have my respect. I teach history at PVU."

"Ah, your students are a little older and present their own challenges. How do you keep all of those dates and events straight?"

"I could ask you the same thing with all of those equations and theorems. Math was never my strong suit."

"Oh my gosh, you're Professor Robert Stein. I thought you looked familiar. I've seen you around campus."

"You go to PVU?"

"I'm taking a class."

"Really? What?"

"Bianca is working on her master's degree in social work." Marissa added.

"That's admirable that you're going back and doing that. I forgot what you did for a living. Claudia says you founded and run the Miranda Center."

Marissa saw the questioning looks on several of the others putting the name of the facility together with the name of their oldest daughter. A sharp shake of her head stopped any questions in their tracks.

"Yes, that would be me. It's very special to me."

"You do a lot of good work there from what I hear."

"It sounds very impressive from what Sofia has told me." Rebecca added.

"I'm just being honest, and your staff is phenomenal." Sofia offered.

"Countless lives have been changed forever because of the work they do there. It's been such a positive influence on their lives as well as the community as a whole. It's all because of Bianca." Marissa smiled proudly at her wife.

"You give me way too much credit. I honestly think I get more out of it than I give, and the staff would say the same thing."

"Mommy, can we go play?"

"May we go play?" Bianca corrected her youngest.

Gabby sighed but resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her brother and sister had put her up to the question and now she was having her grammar being corrected. From where she sat, this was their fault, and she'd figure a way to make them pay. "May we go play?"

"Have you all finished eating?"

Heads bobbed up and down.

"I can keep an eye on Andi, Mr. and Mrs. Stein." Miranda volunteered.

It was easy to see their four year old daughter had taken a shine to Miranda and that the young girl was sincere and serious about her offer. If you added that with the fact that both parents would be nearby, the decision was easy.

Claudia smiled. "Thank you, Miranda. That's very nice of you, and you can call us Rob and Claudia."

"You're welcome and thanks."

"Andi, you be good for Miranda."

"K!" The four year old smiled happily and followed Miranda and Gabby.

"You want me to keep an eye on Jamie? We'll just be on the swings like we were earlier, and I promise I won't swing him hard." AJ asked as he looked between Brian and Stef.

"What do you say, Jamie? Do you want to go with AJ?"

Jamie grinned at his mother and nodded excitedly. "Uh huh!"

"Alright then. Go with AJ and be good. Thanks, AJ!"

"You're welcome."

"Your kids are great." Brandon watched as they all played on the jungle gym.

"We're pretty proud of them. They have their moments though." Bianca smiled.

"Yes, they do. I saw the way Gabby was looking at AJ and Miranda. I have a feeling she's plotting something against them. It's got to be the Kane woman in her." Marissa was clearly amused.

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Oh please, like you don't plot."

"Sorry, boss, but I've got to agree with Bianca. You are good at plotting." Lisa grinned.

Claudia nodded. "I have a feeling we're really going to need that for Sam's case. The more we find out about her uncle, the more I don't like."

"You're not going to get any argument from me on that. I've got Mitch following him and digging into his past. If there's a skeleton in his closet, we'll find it." All those present saw the glint in those hazel eyes and knew she meant every word.

"I've got a couple of ideas I'd like to run by you regarding the case but only if it's okay. I know we're outside of office hours so ..." Claudia looked between their hosts.

Bianca smiled and nodded. She knew Marissa had come up with some ideas herself earlier today and had used Bianca as a sounding board. The brunette, however, knew her limits when it came to legal issues. Marissa needed to talk them through with people that would fully grasp all of the complexities involved with the legal system. What she appreciated though was the fact that Marissa didn't go into work mode and was leaving the decision of whether or not this discussion would continue now up to Bianca. The brunette could tell from the expression on her wife's face that she would be fine with whatever Bianca decided. "It's for Sam so why not take advantage of all of these great legal minds while you're all here together. Don't worry about us. I think we'll manage to entertain ourselves just fine."

"Thank you." Marissa gave a grateful smile to her wife before turning to her team. "Tell me what you've come up with, and I'll share a couple of ideas I came up with."

Bianca stood and started to clear the table. "I just want to put some of this away. I'll be right back."

"Let me help you. It'll go quicker that way." Stef offered.

Rob shook his head, amused by his wife. This was something he was familiar with. "I'll help too."

"Count me in as well." Rebecca added. "That look on Sofia's face? I recognize it all too well."

Stef sighed. "The same with Brian. We've lost them for a while, but it's for an extremely good cause." Stef knew how important the case was to her friends and how much they cared about Sam. She really liked the teen herself, so much so that Sam had babysat for her and Brian, and their son was pretty crazy about her.

"Yes, it is." Bianca glanced at her wife who was now in full lawyer mode. The other lawyers had shifted their chairs and were now gathered around her wife. Ellie had somehow found a pad of paper and pen and was taking notes.

Bianca and the others couldn't help but chuckle at their other halves.

"So, Rebecca, tell me about your show here."

/

The following Monday

"Don't' forget to ask if you can sleep over Friday night after we get back from the movie."

Sam smiled at her best friend Molly. The teen had taken Sam under her wing from her first day at Pine Valley High School. Since that time, the two were pretty much inseparable. "I won't, Molly. I'll ask as soon as I get home and text you right away."

"Are you going to the Center now?"

"Yeah, Aya has some big project that she wants me to start on for her. I'll probably get home around 6:30, maybe a little after."

"Sounds good. It's gonna be so much fun." Molly stopped in her tracks. "Um, Sam, who's that guy by your car?"

Sam glanced over to where Molly was looking and saw a man she didn't know leaning against her beloved blue Honda Civic, the used car the Walkers had given her for her birthday. Sam had no idea who he was but didn't like the way he was looking at her. It was definitely creeping her out. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

The teens approached the car warily. Molly was right with Sam. There was no way she was going to let her best friend confront this guy alone.

"Who are you and why are you leaning on my car?"

The man smiled widely and extended his hand. "Hi, Samantha. My name is Russ Payne, and I'm your uncle. I thought we could talk and get to know each other."

/

A/N: Yeah, my evil side made me leave it there. She's really hard to deal with sometimes. If you celebrate the holiday, Happy Easter! See you soon!